Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the launch of a series of 30-second demos on 10 popular microwave EDA usability innovations for its Advanced Design System software, the industry's leading electronic design automation software for RF, microwave and high-speed applications. The innovations further enhance the software's ease of use, while improving the overall productivity of today's RF and microwave engineers.

Agilent's new usability innovations for ADS came about in direct response to customer feedback. In fact, they were specifically suggested by ADS users.

"The feedback we get on ADS is often related to its power, completeness and simulation accuracy, and over the past few releases of ADS we've added ease of use to the list," said Charles Plott, product planning manager in Agilent's EEsof EDA organization. "Our new 30-second demos represent just a sampling of what we've accomplished by tapping into the creativity of our users. We're confident that both our existing customers and prospective customers will be pleased with what they see."

Among the innovations are an Optimization Cockpit that simplifies the optimization process and a 3-D Viewer that includes EM visualization, allowing designers to see every detail of a circuit. Another new feature automatically generates layout look-alike components for use in schematics. Other user-inspired innovations include an Interactive Substrate Editor, Design Documentation Notebook, 3-D EM Components, and 3-D Connectivity Checker, just to name a few. Each new innovation is available at no charge as a standard feature in ADS.

The 30-second demos of the popular ADS innovations can be viewed at www.agilent.com/find/eesof-ads-30-second-demos. RF and microwave designers who view a demo and submit a feedback form will be entered to win a $100 VISA gift card. Viewers are also encouraged to add their own feedback on the innovations.

One viewer commented that the Optimization Cockpit "is the best usability improvement. It is not just its ease-of-use, but the fact that it puts total control of optimization into the hands of the designer that make it stand out!"

With regard to the Interactive Substrate Editor, a viewer commented, "This is a groundbreaking solution. I really think this is the most difficult part of the ideas phase where the board geometry and layers are unknown. This capability is very helpful, allowing you to add material properties for EM and thermal. Thanks to the ADS team for a job well done."

The leading electronic design automation software for RF, microwave and signal integrity applications, ADS pioneers the most innovative and commercially successful technologies, such as X-parameters* and 3-D electromagnetic simulators. ADS 2011 addresses the most challenging design complexity and integration needs of leading-edge commercial wireless and aerospace/defense companies, by enabling them to design multi-technology RF system-in-package modules and perform complex electromagnetic simulations - all with greater ease and speed. More information is available at www.agilent.com/find/eesof-ads.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,700 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.